Monday, July 13, 2015

Recap: Hawks 71, Warriors 70

NBA commissioner Adam Silver was in town Sunday to watch the Golden State Warriors. But the ring ceremony for the world champions will have to wait until the fall.

The Warriors' Summer League team was in action and Silver, who is in Las Vegas for Tuesday's Board of Governors meeting, had a courtside seat to watch Atlanta defeat the Warriors, 71-70.

Glenn Robinson III's free throw with 25.3 seconds left proved to be the difference as the Hawks evened their Summer League record at 1-1. LaDontae Henton had a wide-open look at the end to win it for Golden State (1-1), but his 3-point try rimmed out.

The Warriors, who were the 2013 Summer League champions, are looking to regain the title in 2015. But the Hawks tested Golden State Sunday. The Warriors started slowly, missing their first five 3-point shots. But by quarter's end, led 15-14 as the Hawks were only slightly better from the perimeter (1-for-4).

Atlanta proved to be a pesky foe, staying within contact in the second quarter and led 28-27 with 3:21 to go. At halftime, the Hawks remained ahead 32-30.

With the game tied at 35 in the third quarter, Golden State, led by James Michael McAdoo, went on a 15-9 spurt to lead 50-44 late in the period.

The Hawks proved to be resilient. They rallied to lead 59-58 as Stephen Holt's layup with just over six minutes remaining put Atlanta back in front. Holt, a guard from Saint Mary's, had 13 points. After an empty possession by the Warriors, Atlanta's Terran Petteway connected on a 3-pointer as the Hawks increased their lead to 62-58.

But Golden State used a 12-6 mini-spurt to regain the lead, 70-68 with 57.1 seconds left. But Holt answered with a running one-hander in the lane to pull Atlanta even at 70 with 42 seconds to go. Aaron Craft then turned it over the following possession and Glenn Robinson III was fouled with 25.3 remaining. He made one of two free throws to put Atlanta back in front, 71-70. Robinson also finished with 13 points.

Atlanta had an opportunity to extend its lead in the final seconds as Lamar Patterson was fouled with 11 seconds remaining. But he missed both free throws and the Warriors had the opening they were looking for.

Henton, who had 13 points, tried to be the hero for Golden State, but he was unable to come through. McAdoo led the Warriors with 17 points.

The Warriors will be back in action at 3:30 p.m. PT Monday against Sacramento in the Thomas & Mack. The Hawks play the D-League Select at 3 p.m. Monday in Cox Pavilion.